ISLAMABAD, March 23: President Gen Pervez Musharraf on Friday urged lawyers to let the government meet demands of the constitution. In an apparent reference to the episode which started with the “suspension” of Chief Justice of Pakistam, Mr Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, he asked lawyers not to politicise a constitutional matter and avoid creating law and order situation.

Speaking at the Pakistan Day Parade, he said the constitutional and legal matter would be resolved through constitutional means.

He said Pakistan was faced with a serious internal threat posed by extremism and terrorism, and appealed to the entire nation to help defeat the menace and transform Pakistan into a moderate, developed and strong country as envisioned by Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

"It cannot be fought alone by a person or a force," he remarked.

The president said that the country's armed forces were also combating threats of extremism and terrorism, whether it was in Fata or in Balochistan.

He said it was time to renew the pledge to make Pakistan stronger and to take it on the path of progress and prosperity, enabling it to fight every internal and external danger.

Referring to the induction of the JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft into the Pakistan Air Force, he said he was proud of the joint production of the aircraft by China and Pakistan.

He said Pakistan did not have aggressive designs against any country. Stressing that peace came from strength, he said: "Our weapons and strength are guarantee of peace".

He said Pakistan's economy was strong and would be further strengthened to end unemployment and alleviate poverty.

He said a number of development projects were currently under way and their results would be visible in next few years.